Becoming the best version of ourselves

Virtual first work coupled with in-person events

Last year, we experienced an abrupt, unprecedented shift to virtual work. In this new way of living and working, we found silver linings and growth opportunities every step of the way. Ultimately, we made working from home work for us: breaking down divides across locations and teams, discovering the value of flexibility, and achieving the best business performance we’ve ever seen.

One thing is abundantly clear, we’re piecing together a brighter, more equitable, and more successful future. That’s why I’m thrilled to share that Thumbtack will continue to embrace a virtual-first working model coupled with high quality in-person events.

Flexible, Equitable, and Inclusive
In our new virtual-first structure, Thumbtackers will have the flexibility to choose where they live and work, whether that’s in a city with an existing Thumbtack footprint or somewhere totally new. This model lets our team prioritize their personal lives while pursuing their professional ambitions.

Our virtual-first approach also allows us to work as one, unified team, regardless of location. In embracing virtual working norms, we are committed to creating an equitable experience to ensure all employees have equal and abundant opportunities for professional growth at Thumbtack. It makes no difference where our team sits down to work, it only matters what we contribute.

In additional to working virtually, Thumbtackers can expect the following:

• Once it’s safe to do so, we will open Thumbtack libraries in San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Manila and Toronto: communal spaces for individuals to work virtually.
• Through team gatherings and Camp Thumbtack, we will preserve the best of in-person connections to foster a deeper sense of alignment, build relationships, provide career growth opportunities, and, most importantly, have fun together.
• As we grow our team, we’ll accelerate hiring in communities all across the U.S., Canada and the Philippines, taking our diversity and inclusion recruiting goals to new heights.

Virtual by default
Our day-to-day will be virtual by default. Not a lot will change from our reality over the last year. Meetings will continue to be on Zoom, and we’ll use digital tools like Slack to communicate and collaborate.

Where can we live and work? Today, Thumbtackers can live in any of the below 20 US states, which represent 65% of the U.S. population, anywhere in Ontario, Canada and anywhere in the Philippines. Our long term vision is to hire across all of the United States and Canada, but this expansion will take a few years.

Thumbtack Libraries
Working from home is not ideal for many, whether folks live in a tiny apartment or like the routine of heading into the office. That’s why eventually, team members in the San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Toronto and Manila areas will have the choice to work from one of our Thumbtack libraries. These new workspaces won’t be traditional offices. But will instead be working areas with desks for individuals to work virtually, join meetings independently, and take a break from the home office. As we open libraries, we’ll be extra careful that everyone observes virtual working norms to ensure we are creating an equitable experience.

Team Events
To build stronger relationships, facilitate cross-functional collaboration, and focus on professional growth, we will bring teams together for events and offsites on a regular basis. These pre-planned gatherings will be focused on bigger, team-wide or project-specific meetings like design sprints, product kickoffs, manager and leadership team development or strategic planning. Most team members will attend two to four times per year and senior leaders will meet more frequently.

Camp Thumbtack
We’ll also come together once a year for Camp Thumbtack. This multi-day event is all about developing new relationships, strengthening the fabric of our culture and rallying around a shared purpose and mission.

Days at Camp Thumbtack will be filled with meeting new friends and reconnecting with old ones. Learning about the cutting edge of Thumbtack and advancing as a professional. Picture events like the following happening throughout Camp:

• A company-wide scavenger hunt
• Activities around shared interests such as cooking classes and trivia
• Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) coming together in-person
• External keynote speakers and panel conversations
• Annual kickoffs and product launches

We want everyone to walk away from Camp with a stronger sense of belonging, deeper relationships, and personal growth.

Becoming the Best Version of Ourselves
Our new virtual-first working model is the gateway to a stronger, more inclusive, and more successful Thumbtack. By expanding our fixed ecosystems and decoupling work from physical location, we can attract and hire teammates with diverse perspectives and experiences. It also means that our team will be spread out all over the country — living in the same communities as the customers and pros we serve.

For our Thumbtackers who have been anchored to one address, we’re excited to see what will happen when you embrace this new opportunity. Your ability to explore new places, learn new perspectives, and join new communities will undoubtedly propel us into an even stronger phase of discovery and innovation.

Today is just the first step in our journey to reimagine the future of work at Thumbtack. Our team is developing and introducing new programs, working norms, and tools to make virtual-first work an excellent experience. There will be much more to share in the coming months.

If you read this and see yourself in this future at Thumbtack, check out our open roles at https://www.thumbtack.com/careers/.